Why Does This Shoe Cost $900?

These J.M. Weston shoes cost nearly a grand. We break down the five details that make for such expensive kicks.

Mar 11, 2008

J Muckle/Studio D

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The shape: The eight-week process of hand-crafting a pair of J.M. Weston shoes begins with the last-maker. This guy -- and it's almost always a guy -- has trained for decades and can optimize the balance between form and fit.

The leather: Cheaper shoes are made from scuffed-up hides that have been treated, but Weston uses only unmarked, untreated leather. The shoes are softer and more supple because of it.

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The stitching: Craftsmen stitch together the shoe's various pieces using both machine and hand sewing, resulting in a construction that lasts longer than anything mass-produced.

The lining: Inexpensive shoes don't have linings; the best ones, like these, have soft calfskin that's gentle on your foot.

The heel: This beveled heel contains thick layers of leather that form a supportive base for the foot.